U20 fencing debut for Tia

Plymouth College fencer, Tia Simms-Lymn, 14, has made her U20 debut in a World Cup tournament in Gothenburg.

Tia won four of her six fights and in a world-class field of 189, she finished 86th. Although representing Jamaica, Tia is allowed under European Fencing Confederation rules to have a European U17 ranking. At the moment this stands at 53 - only five other fencers her age are higher. The ranking list contains 565 U17 girls from all the European nations plus some from the USA, Canada, Japan, Israel, Hong Kong and Australia.

Off the back of these achievements Tia has been selected to fence for Jamaica at the Pan American Championships in Guatemala this weekend. Tia will also be representing Jamaica at the prestigious Wroclaw Tournament in Poland at the end of March. To cap it all she has been selected for the World Championships alongside fellow Plymouth College pupil, Tim Andrews, in Bulgaria in early April. Tim is representing Ireland and in addition will be fencing in the European Championships in Jerusalem from the 22nd to the 26th of February.

Plymouth College Director of Modern Pentathlon and Fencing, Andy Hill, said: "A year ago Tia was ranked in the 300s so her rise up the list is amazing. Our aim for next season is for her to be in the top 16.

"I will be accompanying Tia and Tim to the Worlds and Europeans. The top 16 at the Worlds will also qualify for the Youth Olympics in China later in the year."